Day before Thanksgiving 2024

Molly's Pilgrim is a sweet little read-aloud that pairs nicely with working on an autumn puzzle. This year for Thanksgiving, our house wouldn't be as full as usual.

Sarah drove in from Dallas, Olivia and Connor made their way from NW Arkansas, coffee was consumed and chatting began.

With the abundance of American ingredients, Sarah created beautiful and delicious pies. She continues to tweak her traditional recipes, this year she produced pecan, pumpkin, and caramel apple pies.

At the end of the day, we gathered on the back patio, bundled up in blankets expecting our first freeze of the season, devoured s'mores, and continued sweet conversations.

End of November

"Far from being a way to prove your worthiness, work is a way you and I get to love our world and the people in it. Regardless of your specific job, it is the love you experience and pass on that matters. So when your particular job ends or the work focus shifts or your abilities evolve and change, you still get to go on loving people with your time and talents." ~Justin McRoberts, "Sacred Strides"

Both Aaron and I are experiencing shifts in our work, and this quote was a sweet reminder that we "still get to go on loving people with [our] time and talents". The orchestra's annual taco supper is the only concert where every orchestra performs. That makes a very long night, but watching the growth from the beginners playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" all the way to these seniors in the cello section,

that progress is astounding. This year, the cello section is massive, nineteen in all, and these six are seniors. What a joy to get to volunteer with this program in addition to popping in once a week for sectionals.

Aaron's work focus has shifted with his remote assignment. He doesn't have as many opportunities to work with the Lavukal translators, but my cousin Samuel sometimes stops by for some Greek tutoring or sermon building assistance.

As the first freeze of the season draws close, Twin Creek Farm delivered the last of the beautiful, fresh greens for the year. This time, they gave the produce as a gift. I love my local farming community!

The cool mornings this time of year are perfect for a "walky talky" with my hubby as we huff and puff around our neighborhood. Several of my students have mentioned seeing us as they drive to school, and we often wave to neighbors who are also out walking.

Sweet Sabbath

"The practice of rest has sanctified and clarified my work life, in much the same way as happens in music. In music, the rests between notes give shape, structure, and texture to a song. Those notes and the rests between them aren't opposites. Far from it. They are both essential elements of a song." 

~Justin McRoberts, "Sacred Strides"

One of the things I'm pouring time and energy into is getting enough rest to help with my recovery. Six months out from the last chemo treatment, I still need more sleep than most people. My FitBit gives me so many amazing graphs and charts, including my quantity and quality of sleep. I nerd out on the info every day :) I'm hoping that the ground beef with the organ meat we've been enjoying is helping strengthen my body, too. More than anything, we are seeking to steward our bodies, minds, and spirits well by practicing intentional times of rest.